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401k Match Calculator

See how much your employer adds to your 401k each year and whether you are capturing the full match. Enter your salary and plan details, then press Calculate.

Written by TopicDrill Editorial Team·Updated June 2026

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Plan details

Fill in the details, then press Calculate.

$

Example: a 50% match up to 6% of pay means your employer adds 50 cents for every dollar you put in, on contributions up to 6% of your salary.

Goes in per year

$6,300

Your contribution$4,200
Employer match$2,100

You are capturing the full employer match. That is free money working for you.

Where each dollar lands

Your contributionEmployer match

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How the 401k match works

An employer match is extra money your company puts into your retirement account based on what you contribute. The most common structure is a partial match, such as 50 cents on the dollar up to 6% of your pay. Some employers offer a full dollar-for-dollar match, which is even more valuable.

The key detail is the cap. The match applies only to contributions up to a set percentage of salary. If you contribute below that cap, you forfeit part of the match, which is why this calculator highlights any company money you are leaving behind.

A quick example

Suppose you earn $70,000 and your plan matches 50% up to 6%. Contribute 6% and you put in $4,200 while your employer adds $2,100, for $6,300 a year. Contribute only 3% and the employer match falls to about $1,050, so you lose roughly half of the free money.

Things to keep in mind

Capturing the full match is usually the first priority in any savings plan. Watch for vesting schedules, which can require a few years of service before employer money is fully yours. For official contribution limits and rules, see the IRS. You can also plan growth with our compound interest calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How does a 401k employer match work?

Your employer adds money to your 401k based on what you contribute. A common formula is a 50% match up to 6% of pay, meaning the company adds 50 cents for every dollar you defer, on contributions up to 6% of your salary. The match is essentially free money toward retirement.

What does 50% match up to 6% mean in dollars?

If you earn $70,000 and contribute at least 6%, you put in $4,200 and your employer adds 50% of that, or $2,100. If you contribute less than 6%, the match shrinks in proportion, so you receive less of the available company money.

Should I always contribute enough to get the full match?

For most people, yes. The employer match is an immediate return on your money that few other investments can match. At minimum, aim to contribute up to the match cap before directing extra savings elsewhere.

Does the employer match count toward my contribution limit?

No. The annual employee deferral limit set by the IRS applies only to your own contributions. Employer matching dollars fall under a separate, higher combined limit, so the match does not reduce how much you can personally contribute.

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